Marine pad saver

ABSTRACT

A rear deck pad cover for the rear deck pad of a power boat. The rear deck pad cover is designed to protect an upholstered rear deck pad, and yet stow in a compact easily managed package that minimizes the consumption of limited storage space. The rear deck pad cover has a tailored rectangular shape with a pocket along one side that is particularly configured to cling to the rear deck cover when it is applied thereto. The rear deck pad cover protects the rear deck pad upholstery from damage, staining or fading, and it allows for quick and easy insertion and removal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application derives priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/346,164 filed: Jan. 4, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to protective covers for marine boat cushions and, more particularly, to a fitted poly cover for protecting the stern deck pad of power boats.

[0004] 2. Description of the Background

[0005] Rear deck pads are very expensive accessories of many pleasure boats. These pads are constructed of large rectangular sections of foam upholstered with vinyl. Replacement of a rear deck pad can exceed $700-800. Unfortunately, these deck pads are fragile and susceptible to considerable damage from passengers or cargo. The smallest cuts, tears or staining can mean expensive repairs or replacement.

[0006] It would be greatly advantageous to design a means to safely and securely protect the rear deck pad to preserve the value of this expensive component.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a custom fitted stowable rear deck pad cover that is particularly configured to safely and securely protect the rear deck pad of power boats.

[0008] It is another object to provide a deck pad cover that folds into a compact configuration for convenient and unobtrusive storage.

[0009] It is another object to provide a marine rear deck pad cover which protects a boat's deck pad cover from damage, yet provides for quick and easy insertion and removal of the deck pad cover for storage.

[0010] According to the present invention, the above-described and other objects are accomplished by providing a rear deck pad cover for the rear deck pad of a power boat. The rear deck pad cover is designed to protect an upholstered rear deck pad, and yet stow in a compact easily managed package that minimizes the consumption of limited storage space. The rear deck pad cover is preferably of a durable material construction, and has a tailored rectangular shape that is particularly configured to cling to the rear deck cover when it is applied thereto. The particularly configured shape and the associated pattern cut of the rear deck pad cover provides a snug fit. The rear deck pad cover is easily inserted onto the rear deck pad just as one would apply a mattress cover to a mattress, by catching the pocket of the rear deck pad cover onto one side of the deck pad. The deck pad cover clings to the rear deck cover when it is applied thereto and draped overtop. The rear deck pad cover protects the rear deck pad upholstery from damage, staining or fading. The rear deck pad cover allows for quick and easy insertion and removal. The rear deck pad cover's particularly configured paneled structure allows for easy collapsing and folding for storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and certain modifications thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded drawing illustrating a typical power boat having a rear deck pad 6 and illustrating the application of the rear deck pad cover 2 according to the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a pattern drawing showing the pattern cut for producing the rear deck pad cover 2 of FIG. 1, with approximate dimensions shown thereon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded drawing illustrating a typical power boat having a rear deck pad 6 and illustrating the application of the rear deck pad cover 2 according to the present invention.

[0015] The rear deck pad cover 2 is a fitted marine cover for a top rear deck pad of a power boats. Typically, the top rear deck pad 6 is an upholstered pad that fits atop the rear deck bulkhead. The bulkhead door with overlying pad are generally capable of pivoting open (toward the rear of the boat) to provide access to the engine compartment from within the cockpit. The rear deck pad cover 2 according to the present invention is specially-fitted to the bulkhead door in order to protect the pad upholstery from damage, staining or fading, and yet it will not fall off when the bulkhead door is pivoted. The rear deck pad cover 2 provides for quick and easy application and removal to/from the rear deck pad 6 when the latter is not in use. Alternatively, when the rear deck pad 6 is used, the rear deck pad cover 2 is easily removable from within the cockpit and it's particularly-patterned structure easily collapses and folds for storage in the boat.

[0016] The rear deck pad cover 2 is preferably of a durable material such as poly cotton fabric comprising 65% polyethelyne/35% cotton. This particular fabric is breathable, mildew and stain resistant, and water repellant, all well-suited for a marine environment. The selection of this specific type of material contributes to the utility of the rear deck pad cover 2 by permitting it to be both flexible and to adhere to the rear deck pad when in use, as well as to permit folding for convenient compact storage when not in use.

[0017] The rear deck pad cover 2 has a tailored rectangular shape with sewn pocket 20 at one end, the pocket being configured to cling to one side of the rear deck pad 6 when it is applied thereto. The other end and sides of the rear deck pad cover 2 are double-seamed for durability, but are not pocketed and remain free to lie atop the rear deck pad (held in place only by the fabric weight and inherent cling of the fabric composition). Given this configuration, the deck pad cover 2 can be applied as shown in FIG. 1 with sewn pocket 20 enveloping the front end of the rear deck pad 6. The rectangular shape conforms to and covers the entirety of the rear deck pad 6, and can be easily applied by a driver in the cockpit by draping the cover 2 rearwardly and inserting the pocket 20 over the rear deck pad 6 as the cover 2 settles. Similarly, the deck pad cover 2 can be conveniently removed from the cockpit by pulling it forwardly. This particularly configured shape and the associated paneled structure of the rear deck pad cover 2 provides a good fit without unduly compressing and disfiguring the rear deck pad 6. It remains in place when the boat is stationery by virtue of the fabric weight and inherent cling of the chosen fabric, and these qualities are bolstered when the boat is in motion by air drag which holds the cover 2 in position at any velocity.

[0018]FIG. 2 is a pattern drawing showing the pattern cut for producing the rear deck pad cover 2 of FIG. 1, with approximate dimensions shown thereon. These dimensions are particularly suited for most OEM® rear deck pads, although it should be noted that dimensions may be easily adapted for other rear deck pads and may be particularly configured for a custom fit for specific requirements. The rear deck pad cover 2 is formed by sewing a rear pocket panel 3 back around onto the main panel 4, thereby forming pocket 20 which runs the length of the rear edge as shown in FIG. 1. The pocket 20 is of approximately 6″ depth. In addition, all exposed fringes of the rear deck pad cover 2 are hemmed (dotted lines) for durability.

[0019] Once assembled, the rear deck pad cover 2 is easily applied in a manner similar to a mattress cover. The pocket 20 of cover 2 is hooked around the hinged side of the rear bulkhead cover, and the cover 2 lies in place atop the rear deck pad with end and sides holding it in place by the fabric weight. This serves to protect the rear deck pad from damage or staining, yet provides for quick removal as previously described.

[0020] Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiments and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth herein. 

I claim:
 1. A rear deck pad cover for protecting a rear deck pad of a boat, comprising a rectangular fabric panel having a top protective surface section bounded along four sides, and a pocket underlying the top protective surface along one entire side thereof for capturing a corresponding side of the rear deck pad, said read deck pad cover thereby providing a snug fit without compressing or disfiguring the rear deck pad.
 2. The rear deck pad cover for protecting a rear deck pad of a boat according to claim 1, wherein said pocket underlyies the top protective surface along an entire front side thereof for capturing a corresponding front side of the rear deck pad leaving all other sides of said deck pad free, said rear deck pad cover being easily removable by hand from within the cockpit of said boat.
 3. The rear deck pad cover for protecting a rear deck pad of a boat according to claim 2, wherein said rear deck pad cover entirely formed of poly cotton fabric.
 4. The rear deck pad cover for protecting a rear deck pad of a boat according to claim 3, wherein said rear deck pad cover entirely formed of poly cotton fabric comprising 65% polyethelyne and 35% cotton.
 5. The rear deck pad cover for protecting a rear deck pad of a boat according to claim 4, wherein said rear deck pad cover fabric is breathable, mildew and stain resistant, and water repellant, for use in a marine environment.
 6. The rear deck pad cover for protecting a rear deck pad of a boat according to claim 4, wherein said rear deck pad cover fabric is flexible and provides inherent cling to adhere to the rear deck pad when in use, and permits folding for convenient compact storage when not in use.
 7. The rear deck pad cover for protecting a rear deck pad of a boat according to claim 2, wherein said deckpad cover is applied by a driver in the boat cockpit by draping the deckpad cover rearwardly and inserting said pocket over the front side of the rear deck pad as the deckpad the cover settles.
 8. The rear deck pad cover for protecting a rear deck pad of a boat according to claim 7, wherein said deckpad cover is assisted by wind drag when the boat is in motion to maintain the deckpad cover in position at any velocity.
 9. The rear deck pad cover for protecting a rear deck pad of a boat according to claim 1, wherein said deckpad cover is formed from a single fabric panel blank comprising a main panel and a rear pocket panel, and by sewing said rear pocket panel back around onto the main panel to form said pocket which runs the length of one side of the deck pad cover.
 10. The rear deck pad cover for protecting a rear deck pad of a boat according to claim 9, wherein said pocket is approximately 6″ in depth.
 11. The rear deck pad cover for protecting a rear deck pad of a boat according to claim 9, wherein the main panel of said deckpad cover is hemmed along three sides for durability. 